Tigers appoint backs coach

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Tigers appoint backs coach

Guinness Premiership finalists Leicester Tigers have appointed former ACT Brumbies and Australia A coach Matt O'Connor as their new backs coach.

O'Connor will work under South African Heyneke Meyer, who replaced last season's head coach Marcelo Loffreda earlier in the summer, and alongside Leicester stalwart and forwards coach Richard Cockerill.

"It was a great honour to be asked to be part of such a successful culture as Leicester Tigers and I am looking forward to working with such an exciting collection of backline players," said the 37-year-old O'Connor who had been involved with the Brumbies for the past four seasons.

"It has been a great experience working with the Brumbies and Australia A, then the opportunity came up to join Leicester Tigers, and Heyneke Meyer and the rest of his coaching staff."

Meyer, who takes his new charges to Biarritz for their first pre-season friendly of the year this Friday, has welcomed O'Connor's appointment.

"It is important to have specialist coaches in each position," said Meyer.

"I have been very impressed with the work Richard Cockerill has been doing with the forwards and with the way that Paul Burke has worked on kicking sessions with the squad.

"Now Matt has come in as backs coach. I am fortunate to have such great guys in those key roles.

"Matt has proved himself as a backs coach with Australia A and, very successfully, with the Brumbies who have one of the best backlines in world rugby.

"He has previously worked as a head coach (in Japan), he has a great knowledge of the game, he has worked with the likes of George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock during the last four years, and he comes highly recommended.

"He is an experienced coach, he has worked consistently at the highest level, and a lot of players and coaches speak very highly of him. I am delighted that he has joined us."